Rep. AOC Provides Constituent Update: SCOTUS Reform, Free Air Conditioners, Free Fire Alarms, Psychedelic Treatment For PTSD, Depression

Updates On Supreme Court & Renewable Energy in NY-14, Other Projects

It was wonderful to see many of you at our town hall in Hunts Point earlier this month! For those who couldn’t attend, I discussed several projects coming to the district that will reduce pollution, bring good jobs, and make clean energy cheaper and more available. You can learn more about these local projects here.

At our town hall, I also discussed recent Supreme Court rulings. I believe strongly that it is time to reform the Supreme Court. Investigative reporting revealed that Justices are accepting large gifts from people with interests before the Court. Right now, the Supreme Court is subject to fewer ethics restrictions than lower federal Courts. This must change.

If you missed our July town hall, never fear, we have another one in August. We would love to see you there – you can sign up here to be notified about where and when it will be. I’m sure I’ll also get to see many of you out and about in New York’s 14th. Just last weekend, I visited the Oyster Reef project on City Island, joined an Eid celebration in Astoria Park, and talked with many of our small business owners at the Queens Night Market. It is the best part of my job to be in community with you.

In service,

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Local Projects. Image Credit – Rep. AOC

Renew Your Passport Now. If your passport is due to expire in the next 6 months, renew it now! The State Department is facing a severe backlog with passport applications, so processing times are longer than ever. Our office is constantly receiving requests from constituents in need of passport assistance, and while we’re happy to help, the national backlog means that sometimes it’s impossible even for us to get constituents their passports in time.

Get a Free Fire Alarm. New York is currently leading the nation for residential fire deaths. The Red Cross will install a fire alarm in your home for free. Sign up here to learn more about their program and to see if you qualify.

Apply for a Free Air Conditioner. You can apply for a free air conditioner through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Learn more here. To stay cool during the heat, you can also visit your local cooling center. Find the one closest to you here.

Meet with our Constituent Liaisons in College Point. Our office is hosting mobile office hours for our constituents living in College Point on Wednesday, July 26th. The office hours will be held at the Queens Public Library at Poppenhusen. Common issues our office can assist with are Social Security, Medicare or IRS claims, and passport requests. We can also inquire with USCIS on the status of your immigration case, though, unfortunately, we cannot start an immigration case.

Progress on Clean Up Efforts in Puerto Rico. The Congresswoman introduced legislation requesting a report on clean-up efforts in Vieques and Culebra, where abandoned military installations pose a humanitarian and environmental hazard. The amendment was adopted and passed the House. We’ll keep you updated on further developments.

Progress on Alternative Treatments for PTSD & Depression. After years of advocacy by the Congresswoman, legislation passed the House last week to allow the federal government to study the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for treating PTSD and other mental illnesses. Early research shows that psychedelics are less addictive and more effective than many existing treatments. You can learn more here.

Banner Image: Rep. AOC at local food stand. Image Credit – Rep. AOC